Term 1 Issue 1 2025

Tēnā koutou e te whanau o Whangaparāoa (Dear parents, caregivers and families of Whangaparāoa)

Welcome to the start of the 2025 school year. It has been an exciting start with so many new learners and families to our school. I hope all our learners have felt welcomed and ready to learn as we enter the beginning of teaching and learning for the year.

We have welcomed 309 Year 7’s, 48 new Year 8-13’s, and 102 International learners to our school. This was marked by our traditional Pōhiri, which welcomes new guests into our school as they become part of our whanau. With these new learners and those returning, we have nearly 1950 learners coming onsite every day. It makes our school a bustling and vibrant place to be!  

As part of our orientation back to school, and to ensure all learners are set for the school year, we have conducted a Whangaparāoa College ‘Ready To Learn’ programme for the last four school days. Learners have been taught and reminded of the expectations of coming to school and being ready to learn. Over the next few days, please talk to your learners about the content that was delivered and ask them how you, as parents and whānau, can help them be their best selves.

We are an incredibly busy school, and learners need to take responsibility for ensuring they are at the right place, at the right time. To assist them, please ensure learners are at school on time and in class every day. We know that the more contact time our teachers have with them the better the learners will achieve. 

Additionally, we strongly encourage learners to get involved in activities outside the classroom. Again, from experience, learners who are committed beyond the classroom, achieve better inside the classroom. There are so many opportunities on offer, from sports to music, the arts and cultural activities. Please check our website for details, and learners will be encouraged to sign up for activities and clubs through the Student Daily Notices. 

This week our Year 13 learners head to Tongariro for their annual camp. Whilst there they have the chance to walk the Tongariro crossing, voluntarily work on Whakapapa Ski Field, and be part of our amazing national park. To you all, travel safely, enjoy, and represent our school and community to the best of your ability and with pride.

For all learners, it has been a great start to the school year. The challenge for you all is to maintain the start you have made throughout the term and the remainder of the year. We know you can do it, and will support you in doing so.

Here’s to a great 2025 school year.

Ngatahi, Whakapono, Together - Together, Believe, Achieve